Story perspectives

BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of shoving journalist, video cited

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

BJP officials accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing pregnant journalist Richa Parashar on October 12.
Parashar said Gandhi grabbed her shoulder and shoved her, causing a fall.
She was hospitalized Monday evening after the incident.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said a video shows Gandhi using his elbow and grabbing the reporter.
Congress denied the claim as BJP-fabricated propaganda, with Alka Lamba citing timeline gaps and an X-ray.

History

Historical Context

In June 1975, after the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s election, she urged President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare a national emergency, leading to mass arrests—over 34,000 under MISA—and press censorship. That legacy of media suppression reappears as BJP and Congress leaders clash over an alleged assault on journalist Richa Parashar, prompting renewed calls for stronger journalist-protection laws.

1 of 2

Story summary

BJP officials accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing pregnant journalist Richa Parashar on October 12.
Parashar said Gandhi grabbed her shoulder and shoved her, causing a fall.
She was hospitalized Monday evening after the incident.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said a video shows Gandhi using his elbow and grabbing the reporter.
Congress denied the claim as BJP-fabricated propaganda, with Alka Lamba citing timeline gaps and an X-ray.

1 / 2